Whether you are fan of the ornate Louis XIV or love the simple refined lines of Louis XVI, French accent furniture remains as much in style today as in the reign of the “furniture kings”- Louis XIV, XV and XVI. Somehow these accent pieces fall right into place with our contemporary furnishings of today. In fact, the personality of the Louis pieces makes your room an exciting place to be.
The beauty of the Louis XV Salon Chair with its curves and hand carved florals softens the look of a modern room, inviting someone to come in, sit down and enjoy! What makes it work? We think it is the ability to take a centuries-old design and update it with modern finishes and fabric. We just love mixing period furniture with transitional fabrics giving an eclectic look to the space.
Another fabulous place for a bit of Louis influence is in the bedroom. The French flair creates a bed chamber fit for royalty. The elegance of the Louis XVI bed is shown in the fine detail of the tightly woven cane to the delicately turned legs and carved florettes on the corner posts. And yet, the bed while elegant, can be combined with up to the minute side tables and stylish new bed linens that together give a fresh, new look to old world charm.
What we are trying to convey is the fact that adding Louis inspired accent furniture mingled with your newer less curvy pieces brings out the best in the room. It provides that needed and unexpected element that makes your room unique, stylish and personally your own.
Louis furniture has been around for well over 200 years and still maintains that fresh and much-needed “punch” that a room so often lacks. It seems to blend effortlessly with most styles without overpowering. So if your room needs something extra and you can’t put your finger on it, try adding a piece of Louis Furniture – a coffee table with fluted legs, a sideboard in the restrained style of Louis XVI or a beautifully detailed side chair upholstered in a contemporary fabric.
Ballard’s successful design philosophy comes from an eclectic mixture of European influenced pieces (many of which are inspired by Louis XIV, XV and XVI) mixed with current contemporary pieces that reflect today’s modern, relaxed lifestyle.
So don’t be afraid to add a bit of Louis to your life!
Carol
I have four of the Louis XVI dining room chairs. I must have arms on the host chairs for my disabled husband. Considering two of the Host chairs Item #UD095.Too match-ie? I’ve downsized into a small duplex, remodeled and updated. All wood floors Walnut cabinets. Because it’s so small I hesitate adding too many “different” looks. It’s eclectic and I think the host chairs should possibly be more dramatic. Can you suggest something else?
Annika Dupree
Carol,
We would love to help you design this space! We offer a free design service in which our interior designers pick out furniture, fabric, and accessories. Just send in your question along with a picture of the space here, and a designer will reach out to you with your design plan!
joyce mayer
I have purchased many items over the years, but lately I am disappointed in the lamps. You don’t have the French styles you used to. Also the artwork. You used to have wonderful landscapes and scenes from France. I have been there over 100 times and miss the things from the marches and large flea market. It also seems as though you better furniture is not as rustic or French country as it once was. Any chance of items like that coming back?? Thank you for a wonderful catalog!
Ballard Designs
Dear Lee Ann:
We loved hearing that you are a Ballard fan! We just love anything French!!! To answer your questions, we love the idea of mixing furniture rather than “matchy-matchy” anything.
You said you were interested in our Louis Settee – did you mean our Sofia Settee? If so we do have a few suggestions for an additional loveseat or sofa. As far as sofa, our choices are the Chesterfield sofa or the Manchester sofa – both are upholstered and do not have slipcovers. Our choice for a loveseat is the Hudson Settee – perhaps upholstered in our off-white quilted fabric – worthy of any chic Paris apartment. These sofas and loveseat are available online at Ballard Designs. Let us know if we can be of any further help.
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
Lee Ann Blair
In researching old world french living room photos, the french often pair two different sofas in a room. Maybe one more ornate than the other – or – one skirted and one not skirted. I would like to purchase the Louis settee. What other sofa or loveseat would you recommend? Also, will you be offering more sofas that are not slipcovered this year? Thanks for the assist. I have many Ballard products in my home already and look forward to more…..
Jackie Elgart
I’m a real estate broker now specializing in the sale of modular and manufactured homes with an education in interior design. I love he furnishings and the accessories in your catalog. I just changed my address and requested a new catalog for myself, but I keep all the sale catalogs to give to some of my home buyers who are downsizing from large homes and/or who express an interest in changing the decor of their new home. Your products are not only lovely, they are affordable.